Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-06-10

James f. Joy made the principal argu-
ment. He deprecated legislation which
would cripple railroads or prevent their
making fair return on capital Invested.
This none of the roads had done. The
Michigan Central had expended its earn
ings in improvements TIL the road repre-
sented an investment OF Sl3O,UO mile. III
the 2-cent rate was adopted on other roads
the Central would be compelled by com
petition To come to the same rate. IL
would receive some compensation for its
losss Of revenue by the fact that such n
reduction would throttle some objected
roads which, if built. would interfere with
It's business. Some of the newer roads
would be crippled by the reduction pro
posed A graded system OF rates he SAID,
would be mischevious. MIR. JOY reviewed
at length the history of the Michigan Cen
trail and made altogether one of the most
effective arguments heard in any commit
tee meeting this session. George Jerome
of Detroit spoke briefly against such com
pulsory reduction of fares as would Grip
pie the roads and diminish the accommO-
dations they could afford the public. Mr..
Harrington of Port Huron reviewed the
proposed legislation as II would elect Port
Huron and northern Michigan, and roads
similarly situated, running through a
sparsely settled country, where the
amount of travel wonld not be greatly in
creased by reduced fares. To these roads the
reduction TO two cents would be ruinous.
another Important dnenuiutnl gives
municipal authorities power TO allow sa-
looms TO open at u o clock in the morning
and t. remain open until IL O'Clock at
night. The eXpediency of this movement
was urged by Mr.. Hubr ell who quoted the
best police authoriti' of the state TO show
the difficulty, the impossibility OF enforc-
ing law closing the saloons at tie early
hour originally fixed in the bill.
The provision that the words land i'm
L. II A. .Nal -,
mean or imprisonment were struck out
on the theory that the bill by it, increased
penalties brings infraction of the liquor
law TO trial before courts OF record. Be
lieving that the penalties under the YER
di ( found by iurie, in side courts, could
best be lett with the presiding judge, the
senate placed the responsibility on him.
Another important amendment was
made upon motion Of Mr.. sharp OF Jack
| son 10 the effect that mo person, firm or
| corporation who prior To the time this
| act shall take elect, has filed the bond
| and paid the tax provided by existing
| laws. shall lie liable for any increased tax
during the current year or hle any new
| bond pertaining 10 the business then car
ried on, unless for causes arising under
| the prov isions of this act and such per
| son, firm or corporation shall in all other
respects be subject TO the provisions oil
| this act.
The question Of allowing bondsmen fol-
| liquor sellers 60 Toe taken from the town
ship instead of the village and 10 allow
| one man to go security upon two bonds
was settled in the Affirmative
The bill Of Mr. Rent. regulating the
| manner OF conducting primary elections
| and conventions of Thu state mas passed
| the house. IL was originally framed fol
| Detroit but as amended applies to the
| whole state. 1t alike, penalties for any
| person voting at a caucus or convention
| in the name Of any other person, OF
| vote without the right TO do so
| or wrongfuly conceal or destroy
| ballots, or wrongfully deposit ballots
| or take them from the ballot-box
| or shall commit any other fraud tC
| defeat or affect the result Of the election
| The presiding officer and inspectors Of the
| caucus or convention are to he sworn, tn,
| same as inspectors at general elections
| Challenges are allowed, and the party
| whose vote is challenged NAV be sworT
| touching his qualifications, and If not au
| thoriZed under the regulations of tn,
| political party 20 which he claims 10 be
| long the vote may be refused. Other SINH
| lar regulations are intended to secure fail
| and free caucuses and primary conven
tions and 10 restrict the voting therein e
| qualified voters of the particular party
| holding the caucus or convention.
Commissions have been issued 10y Adit.
| Gen. Anger creating Second Lieut.. JOIN
| e.. Shook Of Mason, Captain OF Co. +
| First regiment. To succeed Andrew W
Mehan, now Major of the same regiment
| George Story l. commissioned Lieutenant
| Capt. Thomas L. Shehan. Lieut. Murphy
| and Lieut.. oats of Co. +. Fourth kegi
ment also received their commits sions.